Feds confiscate WWI artillery shells at O'Hare from teens who called them souvenirs

Jon HilkevitchTribune reporter

Two artillery shells found inside checked luggage by security screeners at O’Hare International Airport turned out to be about as dangerous as sea shells, but the military-grade munitions prompted a high alert until authorities determined they contained no explosives, officials said Tuesday.

The shells were discovered by screeners in a baggage room at the airport, officials said. Bomb disposal experts determined the shells were inert.

The unidentified teens, ages 16 and 17, boarded the flight to O’Hare in London and were questioned by Chicago police and the FBI. They were allowed to continue on to Seattle — minus the shells — after telling authorities the weapons were souvenirs that they bought in France, officials said.

Large munitions are prohibited from being carried onto planes in checked luggage or carry-on bags, the TSA said. Small-arms ammunition, including objects under .75 caliber and shotgun shells, can be packed in checked baggage in accordance with airline policies.